Thank you for sharing this, Ryan. I can relate to that feeling of being stuck when things don't go according to plan. It's so easy to fall into self-judgment when life gets messy, and we can't stick to the routines we set for ourselves. But I love the reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is to just "dance" with the moment, instead of forcing things to fit. It's all part of the process, and it’s so freeing to acknowledge that not every day will be productive in the way we expect. Your honesty and perspective really resonate with me, and I’ll carry that with me next time I find myself in a similar situation. Keep dancing!
Thank you Ryan for sharing what’s real and true for you in this moment. Maybe it felt like you didn’t bring anything with writing about this but the absolute opposite is true! I felt: Yes! This stuckness is a also a part of our beautiful life! Combined with the beautiful reminder of the song you posted it broke my heart wide open.
AND getting out of bed to do and keep up my workout routine which I was trying to postpone 😁😉
Very nice piece! I really love your writing style! Some of your phrases today have sparked a light in my mind: "We get wounded by people, and we get healed by people." Today's retreat. Then from this How can I dance with this moment? How can I ride this wave instead of resisting it? Thanks!
I appreciate you sharing this, Eddie. Nothing is more satisfying than learning that my words sparked a light in someone's mind. I hope to pass on what others have taught me or what I've intuited myself.
This is such a beautiful "show-don't-tell" example of the importance of discipline as a balance with letting go.
"Not writing for three weeks feels like not moving my body for three weeks. The mind gets out of shape faster than the body—ask any gym rat or mindfulness practitioner. One day turns into two, then a week, and then suddenly, three months have passed since you last read a book, went for a run, or picked up the habit you swore you’d never drop."
We show up. And sometimes when we take a break from showing up, things shift. It may feel like we get stuck, but calling out the apparent stuckness shows up we aren't stuck, but just pivoting course a bit.
What I notice here Ryan, is that this post is up less than 24 hours and it already has 57 likes, 14 comments, and 2 restacks (about to be 3 restacks). Your discipline to your practice of showing up for your newsletter, and your break/pivot seems to be working. I love your writing, your message, and the clarity you bring here.
The feeling of not being consumed by rising stress—my words, not yours, but that's how I take you—creates its own kind of challenge for me. It's a non-stressed awareness that I seem perfectly content to drift in many ways. It's not laziness or procrastination, it's more the awareness that everything will be fine no matter what.
I don't know if that counts as wise action, but it seems to be the side effect of a long-standing practice whether I like it or not. I imagine I might feel differently if there wasn't food in the cupboards and a roof over our heads.
As such, I take about four weeks to write anything I publish here. 🤦
That's funny, Damon. It sounds like wise action to me, especially given your circumstances. I'd probably behave differently, too, if conditions were otherwise.
I can relate. I used to publish about one lengthy post a month on my website. Even after two-plus years, publishing weekly on Substack is still a stretch.
Loved this one Ryan. It's funny how I watch you from afar and I think "Ryan has it so put together, he's like a machine!" This is a reminder for me that we're all humans-and that's okay-and beautiful. I've been riding lots of waves of big feelings lately, anxiety, self-doubt, all the things I'd rather push away. I'm using them as a reminder to invite them in, embrace them, and let it be okay that I am a human being who is feeling. Thanks for being you friend.
Ha, that makes me laugh, Justin. The funny and sad thing when I was younger was that I always aspired to be like the men and women I thought were like machines and had it all together, yet I could never quite get there. I still admire and respect them, even if it's no longer an ambition.
I'm glad you now know the truth, and I admire you for riding the waves of anxiety and self-doubt. It's not easy, is it? This is my life's practice.
I appreciate your honesty about the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that creep in when we're feeling stuck. It's easy to be hard on ourselves in those moments, but your words remind us that self-compassion is essential. Sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is acknowledge our struggles and permit ourselves to be – even if that means not writing the insightful newsletter we had planned.
Instead, you still sent a thoughtful, insightful, and introspective newsletter. :) You just didn't plan it.
Ryan..your break obviously helped you become master of the understatement 🙂...."Life isn’t a straight path, predictable, or orderly". Great to see you back. Thanks for your good good work.
Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your vulnerability. I actually like chaos. From it always emerge new unexpected and creative things, like your newsletter. Since I’ve been working intensely on my new novel for the past few months, I’m actually longing for a little chaos, following my joy from one idea to another to act upon, going with the unplanned flow. I can’t wait to see what will come out of it! Lots of love.
Thank you for sharing this, Ryan. I can relate to that feeling of being stuck when things don't go according to plan. It's so easy to fall into self-judgment when life gets messy, and we can't stick to the routines we set for ourselves. But I love the reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is to just "dance" with the moment, instead of forcing things to fit. It's all part of the process, and it’s so freeing to acknowledge that not every day will be productive in the way we expect. Your honesty and perspective really resonate with me, and I’ll carry that with me next time I find myself in a similar situation. Keep dancing!
Thanks for your kind words, Anton. 🙏🏻
I’m trying to dance ( better at that than surfing ) amidst the chaos. But it’s not going that well . Seem to have misplaced my dancing shoes .
With your sense of humor, Carol, I can tell you already know how to dance. I'm still learning to dance and surf.
Thank you Ryan for sharing what’s real and true for you in this moment. Maybe it felt like you didn’t bring anything with writing about this but the absolute opposite is true! I felt: Yes! This stuckness is a also a part of our beautiful life! Combined with the beautiful reminder of the song you posted it broke my heart wide open.
AND getting out of bed to do and keep up my workout routine which I was trying to postpone 😁😉
That's funny about postponing your workout routine. I can relate. The garage is cold in the morning, making getting out of bed less enticing.
Thanks for sharing this, Merel. I had no idea this article could help open one's heart.
Lovely, Ryan! You are human, not a machine. I love the grace you have given yourself. 💕
You're so kind, Sarah, and you know me well. One of my mantras is, "I'm the world's worst robot."
Very nice piece! I really love your writing style! Some of your phrases today have sparked a light in my mind: "We get wounded by people, and we get healed by people." Today's retreat. Then from this How can I dance with this moment? How can I ride this wave instead of resisting it? Thanks!
I appreciate you sharing this, Eddie. Nothing is more satisfying than learning that my words sparked a light in someone's mind. I hope to pass on what others have taught me or what I've intuited myself.
Life is full of surprises. Isn’t she?😊
She sure is. I like your use of "she" here.
This is such a beautiful "show-don't-tell" example of the importance of discipline as a balance with letting go.
"Not writing for three weeks feels like not moving my body for three weeks. The mind gets out of shape faster than the body—ask any gym rat or mindfulness practitioner. One day turns into two, then a week, and then suddenly, three months have passed since you last read a book, went for a run, or picked up the habit you swore you’d never drop."
We show up. And sometimes when we take a break from showing up, things shift. It may feel like we get stuck, but calling out the apparent stuckness shows up we aren't stuck, but just pivoting course a bit.
What I notice here Ryan, is that this post is up less than 24 hours and it already has 57 likes, 14 comments, and 2 restacks (about to be 3 restacks). Your discipline to your practice of showing up for your newsletter, and your break/pivot seems to be working. I love your writing, your message, and the clarity you bring here.
Thank you for your kind words, TeriLeigh. Your ongoing support and encouragement mean a lot to me, and I appreciate it.
I’m pretty sure there was some divine force that brought you into my world.
I feel the same. It wasn't a coincidence.
The feeling of not being consumed by rising stress—my words, not yours, but that's how I take you—creates its own kind of challenge for me. It's a non-stressed awareness that I seem perfectly content to drift in many ways. It's not laziness or procrastination, it's more the awareness that everything will be fine no matter what.
I don't know if that counts as wise action, but it seems to be the side effect of a long-standing practice whether I like it or not. I imagine I might feel differently if there wasn't food in the cupboards and a roof over our heads.
As such, I take about four weeks to write anything I publish here. 🤦
That's funny, Damon. It sounds like wise action to me, especially given your circumstances. I'd probably behave differently, too, if conditions were otherwise.
I can relate. I used to publish about one lengthy post a month on my website. Even after two-plus years, publishing weekly on Substack is still a stretch.
For me, I write [read: edit] too slowly, so my incentives would be misaligned. I would just turn out noise. I bow to the weekly and daily publishers.
I'm laughing out loud because I share your bowing to the daily publishers or those who have 5-6 weekly publications. Gulp.
The beauty of life is in not knowing ...
You're a wise man, Daryl, if you can be equanimous in not knowing.
I wouldn't know ;)
Loved this one Ryan. It's funny how I watch you from afar and I think "Ryan has it so put together, he's like a machine!" This is a reminder for me that we're all humans-and that's okay-and beautiful. I've been riding lots of waves of big feelings lately, anxiety, self-doubt, all the things I'd rather push away. I'm using them as a reminder to invite them in, embrace them, and let it be okay that I am a human being who is feeling. Thanks for being you friend.
Ha, that makes me laugh, Justin. The funny and sad thing when I was younger was that I always aspired to be like the men and women I thought were like machines and had it all together, yet I could never quite get there. I still admire and respect them, even if it's no longer an ambition.
I'm glad you now know the truth, and I admire you for riding the waves of anxiety and self-doubt. It's not easy, is it? This is my life's practice.
I appreciate your honesty about the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that creep in when we're feeling stuck. It's easy to be hard on ourselves in those moments, but your words remind us that self-compassion is essential. Sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is acknowledge our struggles and permit ourselves to be – even if that means not writing the insightful newsletter we had planned.
Instead, you still sent a thoughtful, insightful, and introspective newsletter. :) You just didn't plan it.
After reading your comments, Alex, I always feel seen, affirmed and settled. They never fail to lift my spirits. Thank you for being my friend.
I’m so glad. And thank you for being mine as well. I truly am grateful for you!
Thank you for sharing this perspective Ryan!
I appreciate your comment, Bryan. 🙏🏻
It’s still a good newsletter Ryan, and I enjoyed reading it. Plus you have a new bookcase 👍
Aww, I'm glad, Sue. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Ryan..your break obviously helped you become master of the understatement 🙂...."Life isn’t a straight path, predictable, or orderly". Great to see you back. Thanks for your good good work.
I think I appreciate your humor even more than your wisdom, Ian. And that's saying a lot. Thank you, my friend.
"Beautify my space", love how you described this!
You're generous, Lincy. That was my primary objective - I'm a slave to beauty.
Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your vulnerability. I actually like chaos. From it always emerge new unexpected and creative things, like your newsletter. Since I’ve been working intensely on my new novel for the past few months, I’m actually longing for a little chaos, following my joy from one idea to another to act upon, going with the unplanned flow. I can’t wait to see what will come out of it! Lots of love.
Oh, that's exciting that you're writing a new novel, Geraldine. I'm delighted for you for what will come next, too. Keep going.